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  • Entities
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      • Data elements
    • Aggregates
    • Application profiles
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    • Entity boundaries
    • Fictitious and non-human appellations
    • Manifestation statements
    • Nomens and appellations
    • RDA implementation scenarios
    • Recording methods
    • Representative expressions
    • Resource description
      • Coherent description of an information resource
      • Minimum description of a resource entity
      • Effective description
      • Describing a work
      • Describing an expression
      • Describing a manifestation
      • Describing an item
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    • Transcription guidelines
      • Guidelines on basic transcription
      • Guidelines on normalized transcription
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Policies

Music Library Association Best Practices for extent of manifestation

Prerecording

Prerecording

Routinely record the element. Additional guidance for extent terms for specific types of audio recordings is provided in Supplements to Best Practices for Music Cataloging Using RDA and MARC21 Supplement 1: Guidelines for Describing and Encoding Attributes of Audio Recording Carriers.

Recording

Recording

In MARC: Record as a structured description using field 300 subfield $a. If deemed useful for identification or selection, provide additional clarifying information as an unstructured description in a 500 note.

For notated music resources consisting of multiple formats (e.g, score and parts), either record all units of extent in a single 300 field or as separate instances of the element in multiple 300 fields. If the units are of significantly different sizes, prefer separate 300 fields.

See examples in MARC format: extent of manifestation . For related examples see also: Describing a manifestation .

Recording an unstructured description

Condition Option

In MARC: Generally do not apply the option in field 300 in a shared cataloging environment; if needed, provide details in a Manifestation: note on manifestation instead.

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

In MARC: Generally do not apply the option in field 300 in a shared cataloging environment; if needed, provide details in a Manifestation: note on manifestation instead.

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

Apply the option as a last recourse.

Recording a structured description

Option

For notated music, refer to the special instructions at Extent of manifestations of notated music. Otherwise apply the option.

Option

For notated music, refer to the special instructions at Extent of manifestations of notated music. Otherwise apply the option.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

For notated music, refer to the special instructions at Extent of manifestations of notated music. Otherwise apply the option.

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option for the predominant and subordinate parts of an information resource. Also apply the option when the subordinate parts are of the same carrier type as the predominant part.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Exact number of units not readily ascertainable

Condition Option

Apply the option if feasible.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Units cannot be named concisely

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Units and sets of units with identical content

Condition Option

Apply the option.

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

LC practice: For archival moving image materials, do not use the term "identical." Instead assign a copy number in parentheses to identical units and sets of units.

Condition Option

Apply the option.

Number of subunits

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

LC practice: For moving image resources, record the number of units in hand followed by "of" and the total number of units of the resource. If the total number of units is not readily ascertainable, record the total number of units with a question mark.

Computer discs, cartridges, etc.

Option

Apply the option for notated music content. Apply the option for audio files if readily ascertainable. Otherwise follow LC-PCC practice. For additional guidance and examples refer to MLA RDA Metadata Guidance under Format-Specific Guidance.

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Filmstrips and filmslips

Flipcharts

Microfiches and microfilm

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Online resources

Option

Apply the option for notated music content. Apply the option for audio files if readily ascertainable. Otherwise follow LC-PCC practice. For additional guidance and examples refer to MLA RDA Metadata Guidance under Format-Specific Guidance.

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Overhead transparencies

Stereographs

Videodiscs

Exact number of subunits not readily ascertainable

Condition Option

Apply the option.

Subunits in multiple unit manifestations

Subunits in multiple unit manifestations

Also apply these instructions to notated music resources, unless contradicted by more specific instructions under Extent of manifestations of notated music.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Incomplete manifestations

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option for:

  • a currently-published serial work that is a tangible non-print resource
  • a currently-published integrating work
  • any former serial or integrating work for which the total extent is not known
If an updating loose-leaf includes transfer volumes, describe the extent in terms of "loose-leaf" and "transfer."

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option for currently-published print serial works.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option to diachronic works that have ceased when the total extent is not known.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

LC practice: For moving image resources, record the number of units in hand followed by "of" and the total number of units of the resource. If the total number of units is not known, use a question mark in place of the total number of units.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Describing a manifestation that is a collection

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Number of items, containers, or volumes

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Storage space

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Option

LC practice: Apply the option. Record the amount of storage space in inches, cubic inches, feet, or cubic feet.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Number and type of unit

Number and type of unit

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Describing a part of a manifestation

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Number of units or subunits in a part

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Location of a part within a larger manifestation

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Extent of manifestations of cartographic works

More than one cartographic unit on one or more sheets

Cartographic units presented in two or more segments

Atlases

Extent of manifestations of notated music

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Option

Apply the option. For manifestations consisting of one sheet or multiple sheets intended to be read as a single score or part, refer to the instructions at Single sheets or Two or more sheets respectively.

Condition Option

If multiple terms for notated music resources are needed, do not record the terms in alphabetical order. Instead, order terms in the following order of precedence:

  1. score
  2. condensed score
  3. study score
  4. piano conductor part
  5. violin conductor part
  6. vocal score
  7. piano score
  8. chorus score
  9. part
  10. choir book
  11. table book

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

Do not use the word and to link scores and parts issued as physically distinct units. Instead, either record them together as a single value separated by a plus sign (+) and spaces, e.g. 1 score + 4 parts, or record the extent of each type of unit as a separate instance of the element. Follow the option for sets of parts and do not supply page count for parts. Otherwise record subunits as the option instructs.

In MARC: Record multiple instances of the element in separate instances of field 300.

Condition

Also consider this condition to apply to scores issued with one or more parts as a single physical unit.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Paragraph

Additionally apply the instructions at Subunits in multiple unit manifestations if needed.

Extent of manifestations of still images

Two or more images on one or more units

One image spanning two or more units

Albums, portfolios, etc.

Extent of manifestations of text

Single unit manifestations

Single volumes with numbered pages, leaves, or columns

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Single volumes with unnumbered pages, leaves, or columns

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

Cataloger's judgment. Note that applying this option in conjunction with these instructions on extent of notated music gives the construction 1 score (1 volume (unpaged)).

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Numbered and unnumbered sequences

Condition Option

LC practice: Apply the option. If the unnumbered sequences constitute a substantial part of the resource, use the phrase "unnumbered sequence of pages" or equivalent term.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Inessential matter

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option when the pagination cannot be recorded succinctly.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option when the pagination cannot be recorded succinctly.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option when the pagination cannot be recorded succinctly.

Change in form of numbering within a sequence

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Misleading numbering

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Incomplete volumes

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Do not apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Pages, etc., numbered as part of a larger sequence

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Complicated or irregular paging, etc.

Condition Option

PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

Cataloger's judgment. Note that applying this option in conjunction with these instructions on extent of notated music gives a construction such as 1 score (1 volume (various pagings)).

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Leaves or pages of plates

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Numbered leaves or pages of plates

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Unnumbered leaves or pages of plates

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Folded leaves

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Double leaves

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Duplicated paging, etc.

Pages numbered in opposite directions

Single sheets

Condition Option

Do not use the term sheet to describe extent of notated music resources. Instead record the number of subunits for notated music on a numbered single sheet as 1 leaf if only one side is numbered or as 2 pages if both sides are numbered. If the sheet is unnumbered, record the number of subunits as 1 unnumbered leaf if there is printing on one side or as 2 unnumbered pages if there is printing on both sides.

This restriction applies only to extent. The Manifestation: carrier type for a single sheet of notated music should still be recorded as sheet. Otherwise follow LC-PCC PS.

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

Generally do not apply the option for notated music. Apply the instructions for volumes to a score, part, etc. issued as a folded sheet if the resource is intended to be read as consecutive pages. Record subunits in terms of leaves or pages.

Single portfolios or cases

Multiple unit manifestations

Two or more volumes

Condition Option

Apply the option. Note that applying this option in conjunction with these instructions on extent of notated music gives a construction such as 1 score (2 volumes)).

Completed serials

Completed serials

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Continuously paged volumes

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Do not apply the option for a multipart monograph if the information is readily available.

Individually paged volumes

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC practice: Do not apply the option.

PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.

Updating loose-leafs

Two or more sheets

Condition Option

Generally do not apply the option for notated music. Apply the instructions for volumes to a score, part, etc. issued as two or more nested folded sheets, or one or more folded sheets with one or more unfolded sheets in the middle, if the resource is intended to be read as consecutive pages.

For loose unfolded sheets, record the number of subunits for notated music on numbered sheets in terms of leaves if only one side is numbered or pages if both sides are numbered. If the sheets are unnumbered, record the number of subunits in terms of unnumbered leaves if there is printing on one side or unnumbered pages if there is printing on both sides.

Two or more portfolios or cases

Extent of three-dimensional forms

Recording an identifier

Recording an IRI

Document Date: 2025/03/25
Document: https://access.rdatoolkit.org/en-US_ala-636ca576-7ec0-3b43-a0e0-fd57f783638a

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